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About the Nicolaus Copernicus Academy

The Nicolaus Copernicus Academy is a new type of institution within the Polish scientific system. It was established by the Act of April 28, 2022. The idea for its creation emerged in connection with the celebration of the 550th anniversary of the birth of Nicolaus Copernicus, one of the greatest Polish scientists of all time.
Akademia Kopernikańska

International Cooperation for the Advancement of Science

The Academy is an international platform composed equally of Polish and foreign scientists, facilitating interaction between masters and their students through the education of top-tier researchers. It also enables effective collaboration between Polish and international scientists, with real advisory influence from its members on the direction of doctoral studies and habilitation procedures within the SGMK framework.
With a focus on high-level scientific research and development work, the Academy functions as a consortium that brings together interdisciplinary research teams from world-leading centers in Copernican fields. It is designed to attract the most distinguished minds worldwide who, inspired by Copernicus’s example of curiosity and perseverance, support scientists working on discoveries that push the boundaries of current knowledge. It has strong potential for promotion and impact.
The Copernicus Academy is a group of highly skilled professionals with extensive experience, dedicated to advancing science and promoting the achievements of Polish researchers, while also contributing to creating a new quality of science in Poland.

Academy’s Responsibilities

According to the Act establishing the Nicolaus Copernicus Academy, its responsibilities include:
  • Funding scientific research, including awarding Copernicus Scholarships and Nicolaus Copernicus Grants;
  • Supervising and supporting the Nicolaus Copernicus Superior School;
  • Awarding Copernicus Prizes;
  • Appointing Ambassadors of the Nicolaus Copernicus Academy and providing financial support for the projects they undertake;
  • Organizing the World Copernicus Congress;
  • Preparing and hosting conferences, symposia, and seminars;
  • Expanding international cooperation.
A key tool for promoting Polish science and culture abroad is the Nicolaus Copernicus Academy Ambassadors program. This program allows recognizing individuals who have made exceptional contributions to Polish science and its promotion internationally, as well as funding and supporting such efforts (subject to proposal submission and approval).  

Organizational Framework

 The Act on the Nicolaus Copernicus Academy defines the general structure of the Academy, which was further detailed in its Statute, adopted by the General Assembly of the Copernicus Academy and enacted by the Prime Minister on January 27, 2023.

The Academy is built on five pillars, reflecting the key areas of Nicolaus Copernicus’ achievements. These serve as the basis for the organization of the Academy’s Chambers: astronomy, economics, law, medicine, and theology and philosophy.
The Academy’s activities are focused around these five core research areas of its patron, organized into the following thematic Chambers:

Chamber of Astronomy and Natural-Mathematical Sciences

Chamber of Medical Sciences
Chamber of Economic and Management Sciences
Chamber of Philosophy and Theology
Chamber of Legal Sciences

In addition, the Academy includes a sixth unit: the Chamber of Copernican Prize Laureates.

Each Chamber is led by a chairperson, elected from among its 10 Members for a single term of 7 years.

Members of the Nicolaus Copernicus Academy

Appointed Members

The Academy’s structure allows for up to 100 members, appointed by the President of the Republic of Poland upon the recommendation of individual Chambers of the Academy. To be considered, a candidate must receive written recommendations from at least two current members and gain the support of the relevant Chamber. Members retain their status until the age of 80.

The first group of Academy members—up to half of each Chamber’s full capacity—was appointed in 2023 through four presidential nominations made at the request of the Minister of Education and Science (between February 2 and December 12). As a result, 52 scholars joined the five Chambers of the Academy.

Currently, the number of appointed Copernicus Academy members stands 49.

Copernicus Prize Laureates

According to the Act (Journal of Laws, Article 6.1), recipients of the Copernicus Prize automatically become members of the Academy. Since the Academy’s founding, the prize has been awarded once—in its first year of operation. On June 20, 2023, it was granted to two distinguished astrophysicists: Prof. Barry Clark Barish (Nobel Laureate, 2017) and Prof. Philip James Edwin Peebles (Nobel Laureate, 2019).

As of now, the total number of active Copernicus Academy members is 51, comprising 49 appointed members and 2 Copernicus Prize Laureates.

SGMK

Nicolaus Copernicus Superior School (SGMK)

SGMK is a public university established by law as a doctoral school. It brings together the academic activities of:
  • The College of Astronomy and Natural Sciences in Toruń
  • The College of Medical Sciences in Olsztyn
  • The College of Economic and Management Sciences in Warsaw
  • The College of Philosophy and Theology in Kraków
  • The College of Legal Sciences in Lublin
The Presidium of the Copernicus Academy serves as the University Council, as mandated by law. 
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Formation of SGMK Doctoral Colleges

Within the first 10 months of its operation, the Nicolaus Copernicus Academy fulfilled its legal obligation to establish the Colleges mandated by the Act. By December 2023, the following Colleges had officially opened their doors:

May 24, 2023

opening of the SGMK College of Economic and Management Sciences in Warsaw
Prof. Harold James

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May 25, 2023

opening of the College of Philosophy and Theology. Archbishop Jędraszewski: There exists a synergy and harmony in the interaction between reason and truth.

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September 13, 2023

opening of the College of Legal Sciences at the Nicolaus Copernicus Superior School. “We want to restore Copernicus to its rightful place in the world”

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October 3, 2023

opening of the College of Medical Sciences of the Nicolaus Copernicus Superior School. “This is another important centre on the academic map of Poland”

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21 December 2023

opening of the College of Astronomy and Natural Sciences of the SGMK in Toruń
Prof. Andrzej Niedzielski, PhD

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See also:

General AssemblyOffice of the Nicolaus Copernicus Academy